Wireless Group’s current chief operating officer Scott Taunton has been named as chief executive of Wireless Group, covering all radio stations in Ireland and Great Britain.
Scott will assume responsibility for all the radio and digital businesses within the group, reporting to Rebekah Brooks, chief executive of News UK.
Announcing his appointment, Rebekah Brooks commented: “Scott is a dynamic leader, whose promotion to the role of chief executive will be a huge asset to Wireless and News UK. He will join my Executive team and work to ensure that our two businesses build on the strengths of a partnership that is already demonstrating great success in editorial and commercial collaboration.”
Scott Taunton, chief executive of Wireless Group said: “The opportunities for Wireless Group and News UK are boundless, and I’m honoured to take this position and press ahead with innovative and lucrative ideas. Our brands share engaged and loyal audiences, aligned cultures, and a commitment to developing the best UK and Irish journalistic and broadcasting talent. Together we can offer exciting cross-platform opportunities to advertisers and partners which we know they will want.”
Scott was appointed Chief Operating Officer of UTV Media plc in August 2014. Born and educated in Canberra, Australia before moving to the UK in 1995, Scott joined UTV Media in March 2000 when the group acquired DNA Internet where he was General Manager. During his time with DNA Internet, Scott was responsible for turning the company into the one of the largest internet service providers in Ireland. In 2002 he was appointed Group Business Development Director and was tasked, as part of UTV’s corporate strategy, with diversifying the business beyond its core ITV franchise.
In June of 2005, Scott took over as Managing Director of UTV Media (GB) and was appointed to the board of UTV Media plc later that year.
Wireless Group was acquired by News in September 2016 following approval of Wireless shareholders. Along with talkSPORT and the recently relaunched Virgin Radio and talkRADIO, Wireless is the largest local radio operator in Ireland with seven stations, in addition to its stations in England and Wales.
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